My Childhood Friend Who is My Girlfriend was Stolen by My Best Friend. From Now on, I'll Flirt with My Ex-Best Friend's Little Sister! - Chapter 9

Cycle of Hate

“It’s almost time for final exams, right? Shintaro, please help me study.”

“No way. Ask Toshiya instead.”

“Sometimes I want to get good grades without relying on Toshi-kun, you know? Then I think he’d fall in love with me all over again.”

“Then go ahead and work hard on your own.”

Right now, we are still in the family restaurant.

Rinka-chan and I were eavesdropping on the conversation happening at the table right behind us.

Yes, as you may have guessed by now, Airi and Shintaro are sitting very close by.

If anything draws their attention, we can run into them at any moment.

While switching her phone to recording mode, Rinka-chan whispers softly to me.

“W-What should we do? This is absolutely an absolutely dire situation, Senpai!”

“Y-Yeah…but now that it’s come to this, there’s really nothing we can do…”

Even if we want to escape, there is no way out at all.

We’d have to pass by Airi and Shintaro’s table on our way to the register.

The only option is to stay still and hold our breath.

“Senpai, can I sit on that side?”

“Why?”

“If by some chance they turn around and see us, we’re done for, right? It feels safer if we’re still facing away from them.”

“That makes sense, you’re right.”

I move my stuff to make room for Rinka-chan to sit. It doesn’t solve the problem completely, but it does reduce the risk somewhat.

Rinka-chan then crawls under the table and sit down to my right.

Suddenly, Shintaro who is sitting right behind us, sniffs the air.

“Hmm…I feel like I just smelled Rinka’s scent.”

“…!”

Tension runs through both Rinka-chan and me.

This guy is so gross…how does he even recognize his sister’s scent?

Rinka-chan’s body trembles.

It seems like her trembling is due to more than just the risk of being found out.

“Uwaa, gross…”

Even Airi is disgusted by him.

I can’t believe I was this guy’s best friend…

“Hey, that’s rude.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it? Shintaro, you’ve got such a handsome face, but when it comes to Rin-chan, you’re just blatantly disgusting.”

“There’s nothing in this world cuter than Rinka.”

“That’s not even a reason. And seriously, saying that in front of me, isn’t that a bit rude?”

“We’ve always had that kind of relationship. Why are you bringing it up now?”

“Haha, yeah, you’re right.”

There is something unsettling about their conversation.

We hold our breath, listening intently to their conversation.

Rinka-chan gently holds my right hand.

“We’re just in a mutually beneficial relationship. We relieve each other’s stress and satisfy each other’s desires. We’re not real lovers.”

“I know that. I wouldn’t want someone like you as my boyfriend anyway.”

“Glad we’re on the same page…though in my case, there’s also my grudge against Toshiya.”

“A grudge? What’s that about? I’ve never heard of that before.”

I still can’t grasp the full picture.

But it seems they aren’t just secretly having an affair behind my back.

As my expression darkens, Rinka-chan squeezes my hand even tighter.

“Ah, you don’t know? Rinka has feelings for Toshiya.”

“Yeah, I know that. It’s obvious just by looking at her. That’s why I’ve been subtly keeping her in check.”

“Toshiya’s not a bad guy, but I can’t accept him messing with Rinka’s feelings. Basically, continuing this relationship with Airi is just a way vent my frustrations.”

“Your grudge is totally baseless. And seriously, you’re just so creepy, Shintaro.”

Airi mutters so in annoyance.

Beside me, Rinka-chan mutters softly.

“It’s all my fault…”

I squeeze her hand in return and shakes my head.

“That’s not true.”

“Senpai…”

None of this is Rinka-chan’s fault. Even if Shintaro is holding a grudge against me, Airi could have just refused to go along with it.

It isn’t a pleasant conversation to listen to. I already know that.

“You say bad things about me, but you’re no better than me, Airi.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are so obsessed with looks. You’ve had plenty going on even before you and I are together, right?”

“Plenty? Listen, I’ve always been devoted to Toshi-kun. I just want to take things slowly and carefully with him. That’s why I need someone I can vent my frustrations to for the time being.”

Airi’s voice sounds so cheerful.

Rinka-chan’s expression changes. She is biting her lower lip hard, clearly trying to suppress her emotions.

“Devoted, huh? Doesn’t sound like true love to me.”

“You don’t get it, Shintaro. I mean, isn’t it annoying if the person you like doesn’t just shower you with affection unconditionally? You can’t rush it. I want to take is slow with Toshi-kun, step by step, as a proper couple. Eventually, we’ll get married. Toshi-kun’s so honest, I’m sure he’ll always love me.”

“That’s twisted.”

“It’s not twisted. It’s love.”

I feel like throwing up.

Are these really the people I thought I knew?

It’s painful, but more than that, I feel like I’m growing cold towards her.

I used to like her so much, but…my feelings towards her are fading away.

“Senpai, open your mouth.”

“Huh?”

“Just do it.”

“Uh, okay…”

I do what Rinka-chan told me and open my mouth.

Then she pops the slightly cooled bite of doria into my mouth.

I’m confused. I don’t understand why she did that.

Rinka-chan then looks angry and says,

“I’m seriously getting pissed.”

“What does that have to do with this…?”

“If I don’t flirt with you, I feel like I’m going to lose it.”

“What kind of logic is that? Well, I guess keeping distracted is better than feeling depressed.”

“That’s right.”

If I keep silent and just listen to the conversation, I feel like I might lose it as well.

I can’t bear it unless I focus on something else.

“Since we’re at it, shall we execute the ‘Secret Flirting Chicken Race’ operation’?”

“O-Okay…”

Now that I think about it, we did plan that operation. We just didn’t go through with it though.

To be honest, it feels stupid to flirt with Rinka-chan in this situation. It really is a chicken race.

But well, let’s kick off Mission 2.